Antiskid device for automobile wheels and the like



S. TRIFILETTI May 4, 1954 ANTISKID DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE WHEELS AND "THE ,LIKE

Filed Jan. 20, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l uir I A 71111. 11111111111111)! &

grime/1mm SA/VT) TR/F/LETT/ W W 7 m May 4, 1954 s. TRIFILETTI ,677,578

ANTISKID DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE WHEELS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 20; 1950 FIG. 4.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 naa.

6.9 as I May 4, 1954 s. TRIFILETTI 2,677,573

ANTISKID DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE WHEELS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 20, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 4, 1954 ht'ihh'it UNITED STATES FAT ENT OFFICE ANTISKID DEVIGE FOR AUTOMOBILE WHEELS AND THE LIKE .Santy'ilrifiletti, Castleton, N. Y.

Application January 20, 1950, Serial No. 139,590

'3 Claims. 1

My invention relates to an anti-slrid attachment for automobile wheels and the like.

A primary object of the invention is "to provide an anti-skid device to be mounted upon the outer side of automobile wheel in such .a 'IZIEtIlIISl' that it unnecessary to Jack up the car when applying the device.

A further object is to provide an anti-skid idevice of the above-rnenti ned character, which is secured to the usual wheel attaching, screwthreaded studs carried by the brake drums.

.A further object is to provide an anti-skiddevice of the ahove-nientioned character which will require .less time and effort to apply to the wheel of the automooilethanthe conventional skid chains.

A further object is to provide an anti-skid attachment for automobile wheels and the 'lilraineluding means operable from the drivers seat to render the device operative and inoperative.

A further object is to provide device of the above-mentioned character wherein there is no place .ior water to accumulate, so that the device will A still further object is .to provide a deviee'oi the alcove-mentioned character which is simplified, compact, sturdy and relatively inexpensive to manu acture.

the! objects and advantages of the invention will he apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which "like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

igure l is .a side elevation of an automobile wheel. equipped with the anti slzi'd device embodyin: my invention, the device being shown in the inoperative position, parts omitted;

Figure 2 is a central vertical section taken on line .2---2 of figure 1;

. is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line of Figure 1, parts omit ted;

*igure is a side elevation Or" the wheel shown in Figure l, drawn on a reduced scale, and'having a niountingdisc applied thereto;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of anti-skiil blocl' removed;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of "the same as viewed'from the rightside'of Figure 5;

Figure 'l is an enlargedtransverse section ta'iaen on line "i---l Figure 6;

Figure '8 is a side elevation of the wheel equipped with the complete device, parts being shown in their operativepositions;

.Figure .9 is a side elevation of the device as illu rated in Figure 8;

Figure 10 isa sideelevationof operatingirnechfor the device;

Figure .11 isa side elevation of an .autorno'oile wheel equipped with anti-skid devices embody ing a modification of my invention;

Figure 12 is anenlargedperspective view of one of the anti-skid. devices removed;

Figure 13 is central vertical longitudinal section through the device shown in Figure 12; and

Figure '14 is a transverse horizontal section tairen on line iE-hi of Figure 13.

In the drawings where, for the purpose of illustration, are shown preferred. embodiments of my invention, attention is directed first to Figures 1 to 10, inclusive, wherein the numeral 26 designates a conventional pneumatic tired automobile Wheel. The wheel 25} is rigidly secured to the brake drum of the automobile by the usual screwthreaded studs '2 i, the brake drum being omitted from the drawings. Rigidly mounted upon the outer face of the'wheel 2G is a generally flat, circular disc or plate 222, having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the tired wheel '29, and capped with a marginal rubber head or tire t3 rigidly secured thereto. The diameter of the bead is also slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the wheel 28 when the tire of such wheel is properly inflated. The disc 22 is recesseci or dished near its center, as shown at 22', and, provided with a group of openings in the dished portion arranged to receive the studs 21 therein. The disc is rigidly clamped against the outer side of the wheel by the usual nuts 25 mounted upon the studs 2 i, as shown.

Rigidly secured to the recessed or dished portion 21.? at the centeroi the same and inwardly oi the studs 2! by means of welding or the like isan axially outwardly extending, tubular hub or sleeve 25. The sleeve 25 has a smooth bore 26 and is provided near and inwardly of its outer end 'vvith an annular ring or shoulder 2?. This shoulder 2? "forms a seat for the inner race 28 of a ball bearing, including an outer race 25. Rigiclly secured to the outer race Eli at diametrically opposite points are eyelets or rings ill for the reception of a cable iii. The cable 3-! is threaded through both eyelets as shown in Figure andpassesover a small grooved pulley or roller 32, 'rotatably mounted upon a pin or shaft 33. A small guide ring 3- is provided. ior maintaining the cable in-the pulley groove. The pin 33 is carried by a plungerorblock 3% which may he tapered at its outer end, as shown in Figure 3. The plunger 3 5 is mounted within the bore it for reciprooation'and is held within the bore by the cable 3i, as will be more fully described. lviounted within'the bore for reciprocation, and arranged inwaroiy oi the plunger 3%, is "a small plunger or plate 3;; having knuckles 36 secured to its inner'face.

Inwardly'of the element 35, thesleeve *25 is provided in its side with aligned slots receiving therein the opposed links and 35'; of toggles iii and ll. The toggles it and ii extend radially outwardly of the sleeve 25 and lie close to the outer face of the disc 22, as shown. The inner ends of the outermost'links '33 or the toggles are pivotally connected with the knuckles at of the plunger section or plate 3?. The inner ends of the inner links '39 are pivotally connected, as shown at it, with an apertured lug 3t" rigidlysecured to the recessed portion 22'. The links 39 are longer than the links 33, as shown. The outer ends of the links 39 and 38 of each of the toggles are pivotally connected with pins or blocks 42 and 43 which lie adjacent to the outer face of the disc 22 radially outwardly of the recessed or dished portion 22. The toggles 4|! and 4| operate in a plane perpendicular to the disc 22. Pivotally secured to the opposite ends of the blocks 12 and 43, as shown at 43, are generally radially extending links 44 and 45 which lie in planes parallel to the disc 22 and arranged at right angles to the plane of the toggles 40 and 4|.

The outer ends of the links 44 and 45 are pivotally connected, as at 43 and 49, with separate semicircular blocks or pin housings 55 and The pin housings 56 and 5| comprise elongated semicircular blocks or body portions 52 having laterally spaced rows of longitudinally spaced radial openings or bores 53 formed therein. The bores 53 extend through the inner sides of the blocks 52 and lead into reduced bores 54 which extend through the outer faces of the blocks 52. Removable semicircular plates or cover 55 are provided for the inner sides of the blocks and pivotally connected, as at 58, with one adjacent pair of ends of the blocks 52. The covers 55 are detachably connected with the blocks 52 near their opposite ends by means of pivoted catches or keepers 51, carried by the blocks 52. The covers 55 serve to cover the open ends of the bores 53. Mounted within each bore 53 is a compressible coil spring 58 having secured to its outer end a tapered sharp pin or prong 5%, which operates through the reduced bores 54. The springs 58 retain the pins 59 within their bores 54 and permit the pins to yieldingly move into the bores The bores 53 and pins 5% of each row are preferably staggered, as shown in Figure 5. The semicircular pin housings 5| lie adjacent to the outer face of the flat disc 22 and are provided upon their inner sides with a plurality of small rollers or balls 66 adapted to roll against the outer surface of the plate 22. The pin housings 56 and 5| are arranged in opposed relation, as shown in Figure 1, and are adapted to shift bodily radially toward and away from each other. Adjacent the pin housings 53 and 5|, and spaced inwardly from the opposite ends of the same, pairs of Z-shaped brackets or guides Eli are rigidly mounted upon the disc 22. The tops of these Z-shaped brackets engage over the outer sides of the pin housings 50 and 5|, as shown in Figure 1. The pin housings are slidable beneath the tops of the Z-shaped brackets, and the brackets serve to maintain the pin housings in rolling contact against the outer face of the disc 22, while the pin housings are being shifted radially inwardly and outwardly.

A pair of diametrically oppositely arranged upstanding pins or lugs 6| are rigidly anchored within the disc 22 at a point radially outwardly of the blocks or pins 42 and 43. The inner ends of strong retractile coil springs 62 are fixedly secured to the pins 6|, as shown, and the outer ends of the springs 62 are secured to the inner sides of the covers 55, as shown at 63. The strong springs 62 serve to urge the pin housings 50 and 5| radially inwardly toward their innermost positions, shown in Figure 1. When in the innermost positions, Figure 1, the outer ends of the pins 59 will be arranged radially inwardly of the periphery of the wheel 28 and will be inoperative.

The cable 3| extends horizontally with respect to the ground, and forwardly and rearwardly of the sleeve 25, as shown. The cable extends close 4 to the outer sides of the pin housings 50 and 5|, and the rear end of the cable is equipped with a spring clasp 64 adapted to be connected with a lug or pin 65 secured to the rear side of the adjacent rear fender of the automobile, the anti-skid device being applied to the rear wheels of the automobile. The cable 3! extends forwardly to a point near the forward end of the adjacent rear automobile fender, and is equipped at this point with a second spring clasp 66 connected with a short, vertically swingable link or lever 67 pivotally connected, as at 68, with the fender. A rod or cable 69 is connected with the bottom end of the link 51', and extends forwardly Ion-- gitudinally of the automobile for connection with one arm of a vertically swingable bell crank lever 10 pivotally mounted upon the steering post 12 of the automobile. The other arm 3 of the bell crank lever 10 is pivotally connected with a foot pedal 14 which operates through an opening provided in the usual forward panel or cowling 15 of the automobile. A rotatable rod 16 is mounted upon the steering post 12, and is provided with an operating handle TI adjacent the steering wheel. At its lower end, the rod 16 has a short, transverse extension 13 for engagement above the arm E3 of the bell crank lever in, to maintain the arm 13 in its lowered position when the pedal I4 is depressed by the operator of the automobile. The springs 52 serve to bias the rod or cable 69 to the right, and the levers 61 and i0 counterclockwise, in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 10.

A large hub cap '59 is provided, and this hub cap engages over both of the in housings 50 and 5|, as shown. The inner edge of the hub cap 19 abuts the outer face of the disc 22, and only the rubber bead or tire 23 projects radially beyond the periphery of the hub cap, Figure 9. The hub cap i9 is provided with a series of slots 89 for receiving the pins '59 therethrough. The hub cap '19 is provided with conventional fastening means, not shown, which coact with conventional lugs 8| rigidly secured to the outer face of the disc 62 at spaced intervals. The hub cap is provided with a large central clearance opening receiving the sleeve 25 therethrough. The pulley 32 and eyelets 30 project beyond the outer face of the hub cap 19, as shown, for connection with the cable 3 The cable operates across the outer face of the hub cap. If desired, an additional small snow cap or cover may be provided upon the outer face of the hub cap 19 for engagement over the outer end of the sleeve 25 to protect the pulley 32 and associated elements from the elements.

The operation of the device, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 10, inclusive, is as follows:

With the parts assembled, as shown and described, upon the rear wheels of the automobile, the strong spring 62 will normally urge the pin housings 50 and 5| radially inwardly to their ositions shown in Figure 1, where the tips of the pins 59 will be arranged radially inwardly of the periphery of the wheel 20. The links 44 and 45 will shift the pins 42 and 43 radially inwardly to spread the links 38 and 39 of the toggles 40 and 4| within the slots 31. This action forces the pulley 32 to its outermost position, and tension is accordingly applied to the cable 3|. The cable being fastened at its rear end to the pin or lug 65, the lever 61 will be accordingly swung in the counterclockwise direction, Figure 10. This will bias the bell crank lever 10 in counterclockwise direction, and thepedal M will beheld normally raised.

When it is desired to shift the anti-skid device to its operative position, the pedal 54 is depressed by the driver. Thisswingsthebell crank lever clockwise, Figure 10, shifting --the rod 69 to the left. The lever El will swing clockwise, pulling with it the-cable 3! andapply ing further tension to the .e. increased tension upon the cable l. ill force the plunger inwardly, collapsing the links of the toggles ill -41 the links a l and 45 being also shifted radially :outwardly in opposite directions. The pin housings he and ii! connected with' the links M and d5 are not sh-iited outwardly radially until the points of the pins 59 project slightly beyond the periph cry of the tire of the wheel es. With the parts arranged in this osition, and the pedal'l-l main-.

tained pressed by thed ver, whenpower is applied to the rear whee; of the automobile, :pins '59 will dig into the pery substance, such as ice, and provide traction for the rear wheels. The springs 53 permit the individual pins 59 to yield radially inwardly when objects, :such as stones, happen to be struck by thepins he as the Wheel rotates. Ii at any time the tire of the wheel should become deflatedthe weight of the automobile will he carried by the disc 2.2, the rubber head "or tire 2.3 engaging the ground. Whenever it is .desired to retract the pin housings and to their innermost positions, it is merely necessary to elevate the pedal it, and the springs 62 willautomatically return the pin housings to their innermost positions. When the wheel rotates, thefefifect of centrifugal force upon the blocks or pinhousings Eli and .55! will be such that the tension in the cable iii is aided for forcing the plunger 3t inwardly and shifting the pin housings-ell and ii! radially outwardly.

The linkage .systemishown in Figure 1d of the drawings may form a permanent attachmentior the automobile. The remainder of .the device, as illustrated in Figure l, andiinoluding the cable .35, may be conveniently applied .to the wheel of the vehicle in times of emergency. If desired, the

entire device may forma permanent part ofthe automobile.

in Figure ll to is of the drawings, I have shown a modified form of my invention, wherein the anti-skid'attachrnentis not controlled by the driver of theautoniobile.

As shown in Figurell, disc 22 .is applied to the outer side of the automobile wheel by means of the studs 2i sandnuts 2e, .in'the same manner as descrihed connection with thefirsttorin of the invention. As shown in Figure 11, a plurality of traction pin casings or boxes 82 are arranged in an annular group and near and slightly inwardly of the periphery of the disc 22, and rigidly secured to the disc by means of welding, colts or the like. The casings 82 are spaced apart circumierentially equidistantly, as shown.

Each casing or box 82 is rectangular and slightly elongatedgas shown, and comprises a top bott i l, back or rear side 85 and sides 8 5 and all preferably integrally connected, as shown. The forward side of the casing "82 is open, and a iiat cover or door 38 is provided for covering the forward open side of the casing. The door 58 is hingedly connected with the iorwarcledge of the side 8?,es1at 39, and the oppo site or free edge of the door s83 carries spaced apertured lugs all receiving screw-threaded studs 9% or the like which are welded, or otherwise pernianently rigidly secured, to the side 85 of the casing. Nuts as are provided upon the studs .91! for maintaining the door 88 securely :closed. When the casings or boxes 82 aresecured to the disc 22, Figure 11, the doors -88 are arranged outermost :or remote from the disc 22, the rear sides :85 of the casings lying hat against the disc 22.

Mounted within each casing 82 andarranged substantially centrally therein and extending longitudinally of the casing is an enpansible coil spring ill having ap'air of diametrically oppositely disposed, radially extending arms'or rods .9 1 permanently rigidly secured to :its innermost end by welding or the like. The "outer ends of the rods 8% are screw-threaded for engagement Within openings at formed in the sides 86 and ill of the casing 32.

Lock nutstt are mounted upon the screwthreaded ends oi the rods s iinwardly and outwardly of the sides 85 .and'ill, as shown. When the casings or bcxesBZ are mounted upon the disc 22, Figure 11,.the ends 83 or" the casings and the ends of the springs 93 having the rods 33 secured thereto are disposed radially innermost. The inner ends 33 of the casings are provided with elongated openings r Jslots Q receiving therein handle pins it which extend through the ends '83 and into the casings. Each handle pin E Shas a chain lint: oriring Edpivotally secured its end within the casing, and a hoolsedextension of a traction 'pin :or element it! engages through the and is secured thereto by a scotter pin or the like AGZyasshown. The tra tion pin lei is elongated and extends entirely through the bore 01- thespring s3 and beyond the outerend'of the spring, and through antopening i553 formed centrally in the outer end 6'4. The cute OSl; or free endor-each traction pin lti is poir'ed, as at ti t, and these pointed ends Hi l project radially heyond the outer ends for a substantial distance and radially beyond the peripheries of the disc 22 pneumatic tire 26 when in the operative position.

Each traction pin Elli is provided near its longitudinal center with a transverse opening within which is securely mounted a transversely extending pin Hit proi ecting laterallybeyond cpposite sides of the traction pin. The pin its is disposed beyond the outer end of the spring shown. Adjacent to the pin 565, the side 88 is provided with anopening i ll? receiving therein a transversely extending, forked lifting le er 2%, the inner end or" which straddles the traction pin HM and is disposed between the pin i 132; and adjacent end of the spring 93. An-apertured lug his is welded-or otherwise rigidly secured to the side lid adjacent to one side of the opening till, and a pi'vct'pin or belt I it extends through the forked lifting lever its "adjacent to its outer end and thro 'h the apertured. lug till: for pivotally mounting the lifting lever upon'the side 85 of thecasing. The arrangement such that the forked lifting lever E68 may swing upon the pin orholt ill) for lifting the coil spring 83 from the transverse pin 5%.

"The lifting lever its projects slightly beyond the outer face of the side-85, as shown, and the lifting lever is provided with a (handle extension ii .hingedly connected 'at I 12 with the outer end of the lifting lever. When in the inoperative position, the extension i it lies fiat agai t .the outer face of sideitd and is held thereagainst by a clip H3, permanently securedby Welding or the like to the side 86. lhe handle extension 5 i i may be extended or swung longitudinally of the lifting lever I08 for providing the necessary leverage to swing the lifting lever I08 upon the bolt or pin IIO for lifting the coil spring 93. The lifting lever H18 is provided to facilitate assembling and disassembling of the elements within the casing 82, and in this connection, it may be necessary to change or replace the traction pins IOI when their points IE4 become worn. When the lifting lever I 09 is utilized for lifting the spring 93 away from the transverse pin I06, such pin can be readily removed from the opening I when the door 88 is opened.

In Figures 12 and 13, as well as Figure 11, the traction pins IIlI are shown in their extended or operative positions, wherein the points its project radially beyond the periphery of the pneumatic tire. In such operative positions, the traction pins will engage the ice or snow on the ground to provide the necessary traction to prevent skidding of the wheels. When it is desired to retract the traction pins IilI to their inoperative positions, wherein the points I64 are disposed radially inwardly of the periphery of the tire 29, it is merely necessary to grasp and swing the pins 98 within the slots 97, such pins fulcruming or pivoting about the edges of the slots for pulling the hooked extensions I03 radially inwardly toward the inner ends 33. This, of course, retracts the entire traction pin compressing the spring 93. When the pins Iii! are retracted, the handle pins 98 lie fiat upon the ends 83 of the casings, and are secured in place upon such ends by suitable clamps H4. Whenever it is desired to return the traction pins I95 to their radially extended or operative positions, it is merely necessary to release the pins 98 from beneath the clamps H4 and the expansible coil springs will automatically shift the traction pins I0! radially outwardly into their operative positions, the pins 93 being freely swingable through the slots 91.

It is to be understood that th forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. An anti-skid attachment for an automobile wheel having a pneumatic tire and studs for mounting the wheel on the axle of an automobile, said attachment comprising a fiat circular disc mounted upon the outer face of the wheel and having openings formed therein to receive the studs, a plurality of housings arranged in a circle on the outer surface of the disc at the periphery thereof, traction pins slidably mounted in the housings for axial movement through one end thereof, one end of each pin projecting radially beyond the periphery of the wheel, the other end of each pin being enclosed within said housing, spring means operatively housed in each of said housings for urging the pins outwardly therefrom, withdrawing means movable through the opposing end of each housing for withdrawing the pins into inoperative positions in the housings against the urgement of the springs, means enclosed within said housings for universally connecting said withdrawing means to said other end of each pin, and means for engaging and latching said withdrawing means to lock the pins in withdrawn positions, said last means including pivoted latches mounted on the housings and movable into and out of engagement with said withdrawing means.

2. In an anti-skid attachment for an automobile, a housing having opposing end walls, said end walls being formed with aligned openings, a traction pin mounted in said housing for axial movement of one end of said pin through the opening in one of the end walls, the other end of said pin being enclosed within said housing, resilient means housed in the housing and operatively connected to the pin for urging said pin outwardly through the said end wall, a member slidably disposed through the opposing end wall of the housing, universal means connecting the member to the other end of said pin within said housing, said member having an end thereof projecting beyond the housing and adapted to be manually pulled to withdraw the pin to an inoperative position against the urgement of the spring, said member being adapted to be completely removed from the housing and extended at right-angles to the pin and pivoted latching means carried by the end wall of the housing and engageable with the member in said removed and extended position to lock the pin in an inoperative position.

3. In an anti-skid attachment for an automobile, a housing having opposing end walls, said end walls being formed with aligned openings, a traction pin mounted in said housing for axial movement of one end of said pin through the opening in one of the end walls, the other end of said pin being enclosed within said housing, resilient means housed in the housing and operatively connected to the pin for urging said pin outwardly through the said end wall, a member slidably disposed through the opposing end wall of the housing, universal means within said housing connecting the member to the other end of said pin within said housing, said member having a portion thereof projecting beyond the housing and adapted to be manually pulled to withdraw the pin to an inoperative position against the urgement of the spring, said member being adapted to be completely removed from the housing and extended at right angles to the pin, and pivoted latching means carried by the end wall of the housing and engageable with the member in the aforesaid extended position to lock the pin in an inoperative position, said resilient means including a coiled spring concentrically disposed on the pin, a lateral projection on the pin seating one end of the spring, and means anchoring the opposing end of the spring to the housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 990,005 Rash Apr. 18, 1911 1,142,189 Menne June 8, 1915 1,439,931 Warner et a1 Dec. 26, 1922 1,482,050 Timberlaiie Jan. 29, 192% 1,890,872 Van Kleeck Dec. 13, 1932 1,912,714 Lambert June 6, 1933 2,162,643 Schiding June 13, 1939 2,377,923 Cawley June 12, 1945 2,540,382 Sigler et al. Feb. 6, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 1,612 Great Britain July 21, 1913 

